A golf society for residents and friends at Condado de Alhama

Archive for May, 2015

overcast skies and the only ripples on the lake are from the ducks………….

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For the first time in ages, we played a full round without seeing the sun. The conditions were perfect for golf, ideal temperature and no wind, and the 40 players had a good day. The 11th was particularly accessible, with 9 2’s being achieved on that green (thanks again to Dave Cooke for providing a sleeve of balls for each 2). Not the usual result where you could throw a blanket over the first three – definite separation amongst the leaders with the rest of the field far behind. I told Dave last week that his winning run was about to end with my name on his team, but our up and down round which ranged from 2 points per hole to 12 points turned out to be good enough. The conclusion is that Kim and Dave can win with ANYBODY in their team!

yes, we need a close up of Alicia’s dayglo outfit. No chance of losing her on the course today………..

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Next week our course is closed from lunchtime Monday until Wednesday night. Captain’s day is at Hacienda del Alamo next Friday with the evening presentation at Los Balcones. On Wednesday we have 24 players going to El Valle (at society rates).

Some good deals at Lorca in the next 2 weeks, with 18 holes and buggy for only 20€ until the 7th, then the price for the following week is 25€.

Best wishes from us all to Doreen and Christine (our sandwich makers) who are both suffering from bad health, looking forward to seeing you both back in action soon.

A few points arising from recent committee meetings.

Following recent comments about elegibility to play in society competitions, we discussed this at an extraordinary committee meeting. It was felt that long-standing supporters of our society were being excluded from our competitions due to the fact that they may only come over 2 or 3 times a year, and with some competitions being team events may not have enough qualifiers in (single stablefords) to be included. So we have maintained the qualifying rules previously stated but now any existing member, or new member that can prove an active handicap, can play in any society competition EXCEPT the 9 major tournaments we hold every year. So team events, Dublin Crystal and Apollo Air are now available. ( The previous rule made team events difficult with any team that had even one non-qualified player only being allowed to win the guest competition). The last posting has more detail on this subject.

Also again to state that entries to our Friday competitions close at 8pm Wednesday night in the Clover. Anyone included after that time can only play in a single stableford for guests (this will be accepted as a score for qualifying status).

Anyone using online bookings either onsite or offsite will get their names added in diary and transferred to start sheet on the Wednesday before play and no earlier. This gives the opportunity for people on site to select their preferred times FROM THE PREVIOUS WEDNESDAY i.e. TEN DAYS AHEAD OF PLAY instead of early slots being taken via online booking. Online bookings will be allocated vacant slots that are available on the night. It was agreed this would be trialled for a period of 3 months, but will be monitored and discussed at future committee meetings.

Residents booking online/no shows. When players put their name down and don’t turn up it causes problems for the organisers, playing partners and IRM staff. Anyone booking online then not showing up (without informing the committee or shop staff with an acceptable reason), will not be allowed to prebook times for the rest of the season. The computer will highlight a no show when cards entered and a list will be made.

It has always been a society rule that proof of an active handicap was a requirement to win in one of the society competitions, if no proof could be provided then 3 cards were required. This has only been fully adhered to since January of this year as the new software that we now use has been able to maintain a history of all our players results over the past 18 months and automatically highlights those members who have not been able to show proof of an active handicap or maintain an active society handicap.

Since January, and after listening to comments from our members, it has become clear that an increasing number of our members no longer take part in competition golf and therefore no longer have active handicaps outside of Condado. For this reason the committee have decided to change our rules so that an active handicap is now only a requirement for society Major competitions. With the change agreed at this years AGM, Monday and Wednesday competitions now become qualifying events, so with over 110 qualifiers a year the committee feel that this should enable all our members to achieve and maintain and active society handicap.

remember when the rough on the 2nd was re-seeded a few weeks ago? We nearly lost Neil in it this week!……………..

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There were 8 teams in the competition (32 players), who played in reasonably calm conditions with a very acceptable temperature. The winning score would probably have been good enough with double the entries, so well done to them.

1st ………………………………….57.1

Dave Lloyd, Kim Lloyd, Tom McFarlane, Bernard West

2nd …………………………………61.0

Kristin Skjold, Jan Skjold, Sue McLellan, Geoff Hill

the winning team with vice-captain Neil Simpson……..

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This week we had a large party of golfers over from the UK, organised by Dan Hyde. Although they did not play in our competition, they were very grateful for the help the society committee gave them in organising the golf for their trip, and as a thank you they gave 100€ to CPR and another 200€ to be used for one of our events – a very nice gesture.

Next week is a 4 person yellow ball competition. The following week is the lead-up to captain’s day, and our course is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for hollow tining. That is why we have chosen to play Hacienda del Alamo for the big day, as our course will not be at it’s best. Hacienda will prepare all the scorecards for us and put all the competitors names on their giant leaderboard – a very professional touch. Apart from it actually costing us less than at Condado (33€ walking, 40€ with buggy), they are also giving us some complementary green fee vouchers on the day.

I did mention earlier that our course is closed for essential maintenance – below are the reasons………………..

Benefits of aerating greens.

Oxygen gets to the roots and the soil allowing it to “breathe”

Water is able to better soak the soil and reach the root system

Tight, compacted soil is loosened up allowing the root system to grow

Increases the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch

Increasing water, nutrient and oxygen movement into the soil

Improves rooting

Enhances infiltration of rainfall or irrigation

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The monthly IRM newsletter is now online.

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Just a reminder to members that entries to our weekly Friday competition close at 8pm on Wednesday night in the Clover. There are reasons for this – firstly, we should give back any unused tee times to IRM 48 hours before the competition, allowing them to allocate those times to others. We have a little leeway as our meeting is on Wednesday night and we can’t give them our start sheet until Thursday morning). It is up to the staff in the shop to decide if latecomers can play on the unused times, but they will not be eligible for the competition. Secondly, our starters are generally volunteers who’s purpose is simply to hand out the pre-prepared scorecards, collect entry money and membership fees. They do not have access to a computer in order to check who is an active member or what handicap someone is off. We have to enforce a deadline, and that is Wednesday night.

The start sheet is in the shop from the week before, and you can use the booking system up to 2 weeks before the competition (bookings@cdagolf.com).

This week we had 48 players, which included 6 guests who, for a change, had a strong wind to contend with from the start. It was nice to see the competition’s sponsor, Paul Culligan, although he did not play. We had a runaway winner this week, with Kristin Skjold winning the crystal for a second time. Young Daniel Markenfeldt came home in second place off 7 handicap – he is making tremendous progress for a young man. All the other prizes were closely contested, with many on 33 points.

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Overall

1st Kristin Skjold……………………………..39pts

2nd Daniel Markenfeldt…………………….34pts

1st division

1st Phil Rhodes……………………………..33pts (on countback)

2nd Paul Coopey…………………………….33pts (on countback)

2nd division

1st Jeff Ruellan…………………………….33pts (on countback)

2nd Jan Skjold………………………………33pts

Ladies

1st Kam Cheema………………………….33pts

Guest

1st David Knight…………………………..26pts

This week was the first time our new captain and vice captain were together in charge of affairs. Although I think Kristin has been on the stage just as much in the last few months!

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must need a bigger trophy cabinet at home………….

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a great performance from young Daniel……

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another great round from Phil off 3 handicap…

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Jeff Ruellan and Kam Cheema were not available for the photocall, but they do live off site………………..

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Kim putts for par on hole number one………

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it’s times like these you wish you were left-handed……….

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Captain’s day is not far off now……….it is on June 5th, which is in 3 weeks, and will be played at Hacienda del Alamo because our course is being hollow tined. We have got good rates, and the society will provide a free bus both for the golf and the presentation night at Los Balcones. If you want your name down early, email bookings@cdagolf.com

Another lovely day at Condado, with 68 players all donating their entry fee of 3€ to this year’s charity, Edale mountain rescue in memory of Steven Rollett.

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Winner

Geoff Hill……………………………………37pts (on countback)

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1st division

1st Scott Abraham…………………………34pts

2nd Mark Bates……………………………..32pts

3rd Neil Dolgano…………………………..31pts

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2nd division

1st Jan Skjold……………………………..33pts

2nd Kevin Smith…………………………..32pts

3rd Jan Holdhus………………………….32pts

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Ladies

1st Kam Cheema…………………..37pts

2nd Cherie Myers…………………..33pts

3rd Jo Folwell……………………….323pts (on countback)

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Guest prize

Sue Morris…………………………….25pts

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Longest drive

Ladies Alicia Saunders (18th)

Men Mark Bates (14th)

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Nearest pin

Ladies Jean Gee (3rd)

…………….Alicia Saunders (11th)

Men Kevin Smith (7th)

……………Mark Bates (17th)

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Geoff just won the trophy on countback…….

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Scott made a valiant defence of his crown, but just came up short…………

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Jan continues his run of good form………

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Kam was so close, losing on countback………..

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Mark won 3 prizes, but not the big one……….

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don’t know what Andrew won, but he wanted a picture!……..

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Jan Holdhus tees off on hole 11………..

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some amazing contours on the difficult 10th green……

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Thanks to Kevin, Alicia and Ken who have done a fantastic job with the rest of the committee unavailable. Phil in Valencia, Neil in California, Dave and Kim at their son’s wedding in the UK, Dave Rollett and Barbara fussing over their new granddaughter (Stephanie), and me babysitting Sue after her hip replacement. I hope the members realise how much time these two have given up to make this charity day a success. Also Jan and Kristin Skjold offered to act as starters when I had to drop out, and it is nice to see members willing to contribute so willingly to the society. Anyone wishing to help in any way please contact a committee member.

After the presentation we had live music from Kevin Tyler in the Clover bar, and a raffle in aid of our charity, which raised another 515€ to add to the 525€ raised last week. Thanks to all the people who donated prizes for the raffle (find list below), and also many thanks to Chris Page (Bakao) who was the main sponsor of the event and paid for all the golf prizes. Neil and Lynn, although they were not here, arranged the entertainment.

It was nice to see a party of 14 ladies playing in the event, all from Fixby golf club which is in my home town of Huddersfield. They picked up a few of the prizes and had a great day out.

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what a lovely picture of the Huddersfield ladies…………

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Nice to see Anthony Howell back, first time since his wedding in Las Vegas to childhood sweetheart Andi. He must be happy now Sunderland have won a game!

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Ant and Andi in Vegas…..

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Here is the list of people who made donations to the raffle which raised over 1000€.

This week was the May edition of the Apollo Air stableford. 52 players took part, and we had 2 great scores of 41pts and 40 pts from Las Hurren and Kristin Skjold.

Apollo air winner

Les Hurren…………………………..41pts

1st division

1st Chris King……………………36pts

2nd Richard Connock…………35pts

3rd Kevin Williams…………….33pts

2nd division

1st Ken Saunders……………….34pts (on countback)

2nd Chris Holt……………………34pts

3rd Dave Rollett………………..33pts (on countback)

Ladies

1st Kristin Skjold………………40pts

2nd Gro Olsen………………….35pts

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Les is soon winning again after a month or two off………..

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a great score from Chris off his handicap……….

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Ken wins again………..

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a good crowd for the presentation……..

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Dave’s birthday cake…..

At the presentation Dave Rollett celebrated his 60th birthday, and a buffet and live entertainment followed. We had an amazing response to our raffle for next week’s charity event, with many prizes being donated and 525€ raised for next week. It is the Seve Trophy and all proceeds go to our nominated charity this year, Edale mountain rescue which is in memory of Steven Rollett.

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It seems that a lot of our players may have a touch of alzheimers – they have put their names on their golf bags in case they forget who they are! Peter Mitchell went a step further and put the name of his golf club on – if he gets lost you know where to return him to. Unfortunately he moved from that course 30 years ago!

Please be aware that proof of an active handicap is required when joining or renewing membership with the society. If no proof of handicap can be shown then the member will not be eligible to win a major competition until three cards have been returned.
See Handicapping Policy
For further info on CONGU/EGA conversion see here